Review: Morgan

Philosophical questions about humanity and consciousness are addressed by scriptwriter Seth Owen in the claustrophobic setting of an isolated research facility but the script squanders a moderately suspenseful build-up with a blood-spattered resolution that plays more like a slasher movie.

Serious questions about mankind’s meddling with the laws of nature are lost amidst the screeching tires of a perfunctory car chase, and a sole narrative twist is clearly signposted almost an hour before the big reveal.

In a top-secret facility, a group of scientists led by Dr Simon Ziegler (Toby Jones) bioengineers a being with synthetic DNA, which they christen Morgan. By the age of five, Morgan (Anya Taylor-Joy) resembles a young adult and is lovingly referred to as “she” by the rest of the team, which includes scientist Dr Lui Cheng (Michelle Yeoh), psychoanalyst Amy (Rose Leslie) and behavioural psychiatrist Kathy (Jennifer Jason Leigh). When Morgan is denied access to the grounds, she attacks one of the team and inflicts horrific injuries. Risk management consultant Lee Weathers (Kate Mara) arrives soon after at the behest of the project’s funders to investigate the incident. Lee must assess the team’s failings, any fatal lapses in protocol and make a binding judgement about whether to terminate Morgan.

By Damon Smith